CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports

Dr. Leana Wen Urges Biden to Authorize H5N1 Bird Flu Vaccine Amid 66 Cases and Distribute 5 Million Doses Before Trump Takes Office

Dec 29, 2024, 07:11 PM

Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner, has raised alarms regarding the H5N1 bird flu, urging the Biden administration to expedite FDA authorization for a vaccine. Wen highlighted that there are currently 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S., suggesting that this figure may be an undercount due to insufficient testing. She called for the immediate distribution of 5 million doses of the vaccine to protect vulnerable populations before the inauguration of Donald Trump. Wen emphasized the importance of rapid testing and vaccination for farm workers and other at-risk groups, citing concerns about potential mutations of the virus that could increase its threat to humans. Her comments come amid warnings from other health experts about the possibility of a new pandemic stemming from bird flu.